Clifden Nonpareil aka Blue Underwing returns

 

Clifden Nonpareil aka Blue Underwing

This morning I had the magical experience of finding a Clifden Nonpareil aka Blue Underwing in my moth trap. What a stunner! Strangely in 2 previous years I have had one at the same time of year: 30 Aug 2018 and 31 Aug 2019

Clifden Nonpareil on Nemesia after release

Foxes and a Bittern

Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes

 to view a gallery with more photos, click here

This morning I spotted a pair of foxes basking in the sun below our flat. I saw one Sunday morning at 7am trotting along in the drive but it saw me and turned round.

 During the morning I received a call from Southern Foam to say our sofa and armchair cushions were ready after having new foam fitted. We have been using our balcony chairs for the past week, very confortable but not the same! They've done an excellent job.

 At lunchtime I spotted an Arundel WWT post on FB saying a bittern had been spotted by staff early in the morning so I headed off to Arundel and the Scrape Hide, without much hope. "We've seen it a few times this afternoon" I was told, "the last time 5 minutes before you came in"! Before long there were excited whispers and the bird appeared at the front of a far reed bed, then disappeared and reappeared a couple of times during the next 30 minutes. It was too far way for a good photo with my 300mm lens, but I had some great views of it with the binoculars. A first for me, very satisfied!

Bittern, Botaurus stellaris

Arundel Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

On Sunday I visited Arundel Wildfowl and Wetland Trust for the first time in ages. It was good to walk round the various areas again and photograph the birds. A lot of the previously open areas of water are now hidden by the reed growth. I spotted some Magpie Inkcaps beside a path. I had an excellent lunch there - vegi pastie and a cappuccino

Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo

Dalmatian Pelican, Pelecanus crispus

Great White Egret, Ardea alba

Greylag Geese, Anser anser 

Harlequin Duck, Histrionicus histrionicus

Long-tailed Duck, Clangula hyemalis

Magpie Inkcap, Coprinus picaceus

Magpie Inkcap

Marsh Marigold, Caltha palustris #

Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus

Pied Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta

Red Kite, Milvus milvus

Redshank, Tringa totanus

Scaly-sided Merganser, Mergus squamatus

Shelduck, Tadorna tadorna

Shovelers, Anas clypeata

Spectacled Eider, Somateria fischeri

Stonechat, Saxicola torquata